CROATIA - DALMATIA - BIKE TRAILS - island Pag

bike-trails on the island of Pag

Croatia - Dalmatia - Island Pag

Vodice (Pag beach) - Sv.Jerolim (St.Jerome's) - Gajac - Skunca (Novalja) route
It starts at Pag beach and continues through the settled area - Vodice (it is some 4 kilometres long). There you can have a short rest, have a refreshing drink, a snack or a lunch in a nearby restaurant. At the 5th kilometre (precisely, at 5,7th km) of your ride, on your left side, you will notice a sign denoting the beginning of the route to the top of the hill - Sv.Vid (St. Guy). If you don't want to go with this uphill path you can carry on to the designation of the 15th meridian which is at 6th kilometre (6,2th kilometre). You will be "interrupted" by the dazzling beauty of the nearby coves and beaches all along the way. The accesses to them are very sheer so be careful and patient in finding a better and more accessible way to get to the desires beach and its refreshing water. In the middle of this route, there is a fresh Velebit water spring and Sveti Duh (Holy Spirit) beach. There you can sunbathe and swim nude (11,4th kilometre). At Sv.Jerolim (St.Jerome's) chapel (12,9th kilometre) you can take a rest in the shade of coniferous trees and after that continue the adventure to Novalja. Driving along an easy gradient toward Kastel, on your left side you can see the ornithological park and one kilometre further you will arrive at the crossing which either leads to Gajac (a tourist settlement) or to Novalja. If you continue driving along the route, after a short macadamized gradient, you will reach Novalja.
Salty route
This route is an ideal shortcut towards the road that leads to Vlasici or Povljana. Riding along this road, one avoids a much frequented road from Pag to Zadar. At the end of the first kilometre, there is the old town Pag and some 200 metres further begins a macadamized road without any severe gradients. The special and exciting experience will be passing near the salt-pans. If you would like to visit the Salt factory Pag, please contact Pag Tourist Board at least one day in advance. The last 300 metres before reaching the main road are very narrow and this earthen road passes through reeds. If you turn left you will proceed to Gorica which is some 600 metres away, but if you turn right using "The bird" route (Velo blato), "Smokvica" route, "Prutna" route and "Cape Dubrovnik" route you will reach Povljana.
Stari grad (the Old town) - Kosljun route
A part of the route, before turning to Kosljun, is as same as the "Salty route". If you take a direction to Kosljun at the 4,3rd kilometre it will be a shorter but more severe macadamized gradient and some 500 metres long. When on the top one has an excellent view of the salt-pans. The next part of the way is asphalted till Kosljun. You can ride your bicycle along the asphalted road when returning to Pag. This part of the trip is a very picturesque one but be careful because you will be riding along a frequented road for the next 9 kilometres of the road are the most beautiful and exciting ones but dangerous as well. It is a very sheer descent and only more experienced bike riders should pass it.
The bird route (Velo blato)
If you start your trip from Pag with "Salty route" (turn right at its exit) 4 kilometres later you will be at the crossing for this route. It is very attractive for all categories. The road is narrow but asphalted and not very frequented one. On 2,9th kilometre you will see another ornithological park - Velo blato. The end of this route is 5,5 kilometre form an interesting village - Vlasici. Close to the magnificent beach therre is the site where you can use medicinal mud. If you turn right before Vlasici you will take a direction towards Smokvica.
Smokvica route
A narrow, asphalted road (1,2 km long) from Vlasici to Smokvica passes trough grasslands and small isolated sandy beaches. It takes you to the beginning of a more demanding route. It is not demanding because of its lenght but because the terrain is inccessible and rocks are very sharp. Both you and your bicycle will need staying power to end this route. After having passed some 4,5 kilometers of the route, do not get down from the bicycle and do not stroll around because you could meet the only poisonous inhabitant in this area - the horned viper snake. All your hard work will prove when you reach a beautiful and green end of the route. At 5,5th kilometre there is a wooden gate you need to close after passing through it. The route ends at the beginning of the "Prutna" route. At this point you are only 1 kilometre away from Povljana.
Prutna route
There are no objects and no fresh water springs all along the route so ake enough refreshing drinks. A kilometre from Povljana turn right and Prutna route begins. If you turn left you will come to "Smokvica" route. At 1,5th kilometre there is a big gate which has to be closed after passing through it. Here begins an easy macadamized gradient. You will be constantly surrounded by the rocky landscape on the top of a small peninsula - Prutna. A lot of huge transmission - line pylons which transmit eletric current from Zadar to Pag are also included in this interesting scenary. At the end of the route you will see one of the most characteristic symbols of the island - Pag bridge.
Cape Dubrovnik route
The first part of route goes along the coastline and through a amall wood. There is a beach at the end of the wood. A kilometre later do not forget to close the gate of the fence, please. Here begins an easy but rocky gradient. There are no natural shades in this area and no places to have a refreshing drink. From the top of the hill, on your right side, you will see an excellent picture of the Kosljun bay. No matter how hard this route may seem you will end it in no time because it is a very short one. Have a spare inner tube or a mending kit because sharp rocks or thorns could damage your tyre. The last part of the route passes near shepp - folds and shepard`s huts. The exit is on road to Povljana (a kilometre away from the village) and some 400 meters later, there is "The bird" route (Velo blato).
Simuni - Girenica cove route
This route can also be used as a shortcut towards Mandre. 2,6 kilometers later, a narrow asphalted track is intersected with the road to Kolan and Mandre. One should be very careful while driving alond this road during summer season because it is extremely narrow and surrounded by stone walls (drivig aside a car could be very risky). Having passed the crossroad, you will notice two macadamized roads which lead to Girenica cove. The first one is ahead and the other begins while heading to Mandre (approximately at 400th metre) before coming to Mandre you will ride along two descents of which the second is a sheerer one. Having come to beautiful Girenica cove, you will have the opportunity to rest and gather strength in nearby restaurnt (opened during summer season only).
Kolan route
If you start from Kolan you will get to the Vodice (Pag beach) - Sv.Jerolim (St.Jerome's) - Gajac - Skunca (Novalja) route. If you turn right you will reach Pag, otherwise, you will get to Novalja. The route is nice and interesting. It is short, surrounded by tall reeds, water - worn ravines. It partly passes by fields. Those who like carrying their bicycles or are in favour of the extreme ways of riding, going over the pass towards Mandre might lead them to the Simuni - Girenica cave route. If you came from Pag, having passed St. Jerome`s and turned left, you will get to the route Kolan. There you can have some rest and buy some home - made products: chesse, ham, wine, sherry (prosseco/prosek)...
Stone-pit route
The rote begins in the outskits of Stara Novalja, on the left, before the ferry. Don`t forget to close the gate, please. Here begins the 10,5 kilometres long adventure. You will ride along a 500 metre severe gradient and continue with a macadamized road. By turning left you could get to a beautiful beach. If you decide to "conquer" this route you will experience many descents and 5 kilometres later the route is not wavy any more.Suddenly, you will be alone and surrounded by rocks and bushes only. At 6,8th kilometre you will reach the first stone - pit. At 7,4th kilometre, on your left side there is a waterig - place for sheep. Here you can have some rest or continue to another stone - pit a 1,4 kilometre later. Having descended to the centre of the stone - pit, you are at the end of a 10,5 kilometre long route. Some 200 meters away there is a road from Zigljen to Novalja. If you turn left to Zigljen some 2 kilometres on the right side, there is the UFO site. At the end of this route, if you turn right, you will find yourself driving along a beautiful descent. Having driven the next 1350 metres and turned left, you will reach Caska. A kilometre more, a walk alng the stoney path will take you to the well - known beach - Zrce. It abounds in various facilities: fast - food restaurants, coffe - bars, beach club Calypso, Internet caffe (during summer season only).
Novaljsko polje route
This route is for all those who love family rides and who enjoy being in nature. 1,7 kilometres away from the centre of Novalja you will be riding along some easy gradients and passing across small bridges. You don`t have to stick to the marked route but you may playfully intersect the plain (polje) in various directions. More demanding ones might ride a route number 12 or take a ride to Caska.
Wine route
This route calls for your utmost attention and top shape due to its sheer gradients. Finish the ride in a wine - cellar on the left side after you had enjoyed in the view on the Novaljsko polje (Novalja plain).An excellent menu in this wine - cellar will be adequate reward for you.
Caska - Metajna - Rucica canyon route
This route is a motor road as well. Do not go round it because the atmosphere while riding along this route is gorgeus. Be careful as it is the motor road too! Riding on 20/30 meters above the sea - level and looking at Pag bay is true joy. You can have a rest and drink something in Zubovici or Kustici which are in the middle of the route. You will have the opportunity to stop and take a swim troughout the route. When in Metajna try some fresh Velebit water or excellent fried picarels (girice). When you leave Metajna turn left and after 2 further kilometres you will come to Rucica canyon and Rucica cove. The paradise beach is waiting there for you!You can have a rest or drink and eat something at Slaveks (Canyon grill) at any time. The sound of a big bell is a good sign: time for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!
Novalja-Lun route
This route is a motor road as well as route Caska - Metajna - Rucica canyon route, so be careful during summer season! Driving along this route will be the absolute pleasure for every biciycle driver. If you are tired turn left (direction from Novalja) and have a rest on Potocnica or Jakisnica beaches. A special adventure will be at last part of the route beside the old olive - trees. Some of them are more then 1000 years old.Lun is a nice and picturesque hamlet where you can try some delicious local specialities.